JERSEY CITY -- Committee members from around the county met on Wednesday night to name former Jersey City Councilman Junior Maldonado to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Freeholder Eliu Rivera.

Rivera resigned as of July 1 citing health issues, and the committee met to fill his seat until committee members in Jersey City determine if they want to hold a special election or allow him to retain the seat until the 2014 regular freeholder election.

Ironically, Maldonado is aligned with newly elected Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who defeated Maldonado eight years ago in a Ward E city council race in Jersey City.